Ikebana: The Zen Way of Flowers

It's all about light, texture, color, shape and balance! Filled with inspiring images of unconventional flower arrangements, this new book by Japanese Ikebana master Yuji Ueno shows you how to use light and position as well as color, shape and texture--of both flowers and vessel--to make inexpensive floral arrangements that convey a Zen sense of simplicity, calm and balance. Ueno's arrangements are informal, but authentic and true to the original wabi-sabi spirit of Ikebana practiced by Zen Buddhist masters of the art. In this book you'll receive: Tips on how to select flowers and foliage, choose a vessel to harmonize with the available light in and design of your spaces, and more Inspiration to utilize the beauty of a flower's many stages, the imperfections of leaves and branches, and the design potential in old and unusual vases A sense of connectedness to the seasons of the year and how to translate that into seasonal arrangements using found and foraged foliage An appreciation for simple and imperfect components and a slow, mindful approach to arranging your flowers Ueno's unique approach makes it clear that you don't need special training, expensive equipment or store-bought flowers to create beautiful arrangements. All you need is an open mind, a sense of awareness--and a good set of clippers--to create Ikebana that are truly unique, expressive and uplifting. The Zen art of flower arranging is now accessible to everyone!